At Sherman Elementary School technology is incorporated in our curriculum in a number of creative and innovative ways. Our school has four Jostens Basic Skills Computer Labs that children in grades Kindergarten through Six work in daily through the departmentalization of classes. The Jostens Basic Skills labs promote reinforcing and reteaching of basic reading, math and writing skills. Children work at computer stations on their own level and at their own pace to review basic skills daily. Teachers place students on appropriate levels with the Basic Skills Inventory (BSI). The computer lab teachers are also able to track students' progress with several reports the program generates. Our Fifth/Sixth grade computer lab has recently been upgraded with ten new IBM computers, programmed with Compton's Encyclopedia, Office '97, and the Tomorrow's Promise program. This was accomplished using funds received from the Technology Literacy Challenge Grant and with funds from Boone County Schools. Sherman Elementary plans to completely upgrade this lab with additional computers purchased with Budget Digest Grant Funds through the office of WV Senator Lloyd Jackson. Our Preschool children will benefit from this grant funding by allocations for the purchase of new learning software for the Preschool Computer Lab.

Sherman Elementary staff will be trained in the use of Power Point technology to enhance lessons and for presentations on local, state, and national levels. Plans are now also being made to purchase the Accelerated Reader Program through funds from grant writing sources, Business Partners and school/community funding. Accelerated Reader is a computerized reading program and with the STAR database program tracks students' progress and reading growth. This program will enhance our current reading program at the first through sixth grade levels and allow students to progress at their own pace.

Children at the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth grade levels participate in our Higher Order Thinking Skills (H.O.T.S.) Computer Lab. The H.O.T.S. classroom is a computer lab with 13 new Internet accessible IM computers equipped with Compton's encyclopedias, a trained H.O.T.S. teacher and a H.O.T.S. Aide. This computer lab is unique in that it utilizes technology to promote positive self-concepts and to increase higher level thinking. The program targets priority students, but all Fifth and Sixth graders utilize the lab once a week.

Sherman Elementary offers parents an opportunity to take-home computers with our Take-Home Notebook Computer Program. Windows 95 and the Emerging Literacy Program Training are offered three times a year for the notebook computer program. Parents are trained in a daylong training, on the use of these programs to assist their children in learning. This program is exceptional in that it was created by Boone County's Title 1 Director, Carolyn Miller. Another innovative program Sherman Elementary offers is the Lightspan Program. This program utilizes Sony PlayStations as a tool for learning, along with interactive software in a game format for Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Writing. Family Training is provided throughout the year for parents who wish to work at home with their children. The PlayStations are also used in the Title 1 classrooms for instruction and reteaching.

Sherman Elementary' Comprehensive needs Assessment (CAN) is conducted using computer technology. Information gathered from our need assessment, such as standardized test scores, is logged and stored on the Sherman Elementary Title 1 Needs Assessment Database. This database was created by a member of our school community, Bruce Williams, who is principal of Whitesville Junior High School. Our school's Unified School Improvement Plan highlights our Use of Technology, Technical Assistance, and Support Plan along with our current Technology Infrastructure Diagram. This document is updated yearly in conjunction with our Local School Improvement Council, Principal, Technology Team and staff.